Multiple motion press

ABSTRACT

A multiple motion press for fabricating sheet metal comprises a vertical reciprocating ram means, a vertical die assembly in conjunction with the vertical reciprocating ram means, a lateral reciprocating ram means, and a lateral die assembly in conjunction with the lateral reciprocating ram means. The lateral die assembly comprises said vertical die assembly which acts as one lateral die element and another lateral die element mounted on the lateral ram means. A first forming operation on the sheet metal is effected upon a closing stroke of the vertical ram means, and a subsequent forming operation is effected by action of the lateral ram means when the first forming operation is complete and when the vertical ram means is in dwell position at the completion of the closing stroke thereof.

United States Patent [1 1 Goff [ Apr. 9, 1974 1 MULTIPLE MOTION PRESS [76] Inventor: Otis Ward Goff, 7151 Carlsbrook,

Portage, Mich. 49081 [22] Filed: May 10, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 251,949

[56] References Cited UNITED S'lA'lES PA'IENTS 9/1948 Timmons 72/DIG. 14

11/1954 Moore et al.

7/1927 Brown 72/306 Primary Examiner-Lowell A. Larson Attorney, Agent, or F irmGordon W. Hueschen 5 7] ABSTRACT A multiple motion press for fabricating sheet metal comprises a vertical reciprocating ram means, a vertical die assembly in conjunction with the vertical reciprocating ram means, a lateral reciprocating ram means, and a lateral die assembly in conjunction with the lateral reciprocating ram means. The lateral die assembly comprises said vertical die assembly which acts as one lateral die element and another lateral die element mounted on the lateral ram means. A first forming operation on the sheet metal is effected upon a closing stroke of the vertical ram means, and a subsequent forming operation is effected by action of the lateral ram means when the first forming operation is complete and when the vertical ram means is in dwell position at the completion of the closing stroke thereof.

6 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures l\ \q W 68 63 p 'w PATENTEDAPR 9 1974 H1 Z W SHEET 1 BF 2 MULTIPLE MOTION PRESS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to fabrication of sheet metal or the like.

Intricate sheet metal configurations find many useful applications not only as structural elements, framing or sealing strips, and the like, but also as protective bumpers and/or decorative elements on household appliances and similar items. However, heretofore the fabrication of intricate sheet metal configurations has involved considerable expense because a plurality of forming operations requiring intervening handling of a partially formed metal sheet have been necessary.

It is an object of this invention to provide a multiple motion press which substantially simplifies the fabrication of intricate metal shapes and reduces the cost thereof.

A further'object of this invention is to provide a press in which sheet metal can be formed into intricate shapes during a single forming cycle of the press and without the need for intermediate handling of the workpiece.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a method for fabricating intricate shapes from sheet metal.

Still other objects of this invention, such as cutting and piercing operations, will readily present themselves to one skilled in the art upon reference to the ensuing specification, the accompanying drawings, and the claims.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention contemplates a multiple motion press for fabricating sheet metal and comprising a press frame, a reciprocating vertical ram means, and a reciprocating. lateral ram means, both of the ram means being slidably mounted on the press frame. A vertical die assembly includes an upper vertical die element mounted on the vertical ram means and a lower vertical die element mounted on the press frame below the upper vertical die element for cooperation with the upper vertical die element so as to effect a first formingoperation on the sheet metal workpiece upon a closing stroke of the vertical ram means. In addition, a lateral die assembly is provided and includes a first lateral die element mounted on the lateral ram means and the aforesaid vertical die assembly which also functions as a second lateral die element by cooperating with the first lateral die element to effect a subsequent forming operation on the sheet metal workpiece upon lateral movement of the lateral ram means when the first forming operation is complete and when the vertical ram means is in dwell position at the completion of its closing stroke. The ram means can be actuated by motor means such as fluid motors, e.g., hydraulic motors or pneumatic motors, as well as electric motors. Preferably the ram means are actuated by rotary hydraulic actuators.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings,

FIG. 1 is a front elevation'al view of the multiple motion press of this invention, partially broken away to show interior detail;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the multiple motion press;

FIG. 3 is a sectional elevation of the multiple motion press taken along line III III in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a sectional plan view of a lower portion of the multiple motion press taken along line IV IV in FIG. .1,

FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing a typical vertical die assembly and lateral die assembly for the multiple motion press of this invention;

FIG. 6 is an end view of a shaped sheet metal workpiece that can be fabricated on the press of this invention;

FIG. 7 is an end view of another shaped sheet metal workpiece that can be fabricated on the press of this invention;

FIG. 8 is an end view of yet another shaped sheet metal workpiece that can be fabricated on the press of this invention; and

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to FIG. 1, multiple motion press 10 is provided with a press frame comprising upright frame members 11 and 12 held in a spaced relationship relative to each other by tie bars 13, 14, 15 and 16. Press bed 17 is mounted within the frame and is reinforced by bed crowns 18 and 19 as well as by auxiliary bed crown members such as auxiliary members 20 and 21 (FIGS. 2 and 3).

Reciprocating vertical ram 22 comprises upper platen 23 suspended by means of clevis brackets 24 and 25 and pitman arms 26 and 27 from shaft 28 which is journaled in upright frame members 11 and 12. Circular pitman 29 is journaled in pitman arm 27 and is eccentrically fixed to shaft 28 by means of key 30 so that the rotational plane of pitman 29 is substantially normal to the longitudinal axis of shaft 28. A similar pitman is journaled in pitman arm 26 and is secured to shaft 28 in the same manner. Pitman arm 27 is pivotally connected to clevis bracket 25 with wrist pin 31. Simi' larly, a wrist pin is utilized to pivotally connect pitman arm 26 to clevis bracket 24. Rotary hydraulic actuator 85 is connected to shaft 28 and imparts rotary motion thereto which is translated into linear motion for vertical ram 22 by the circular pitmans such as pitman 29 and pitman arms 26 and 27. Upper platen 23 is provided with yokes 34 and 35 at opposite ends thereof which slidably engage guideways 32 and 33 and guideways 36 and 37, respectively. Upper platen 23 is reinforced against deflection by ram crowns 83 and 84 mounted on the upper surface thereof.

Rotating stop 38 is affixed to shaft 28 by means of key 39. Stop 38 abuts against stop pin 40 at the end of the upward stroke of vertical ram 22 and abuts against stop pin 41 at the end of the closing, i.e., downward stroke of vertical ram 22.

Lateral ram 42 is slidably mounted between upright frame members 11 and 12 in lateral ram guideways 43 and 44 and is adapted for lateral motion substantially parallel to press bed 17. Lateral ram 42 comprises lateral punch holder 45 reinforced against deflection by crown 46, and connecting rods 47 and 48 which terminate in clevis brackets 49 and 50, respectively, pivotally attached to respective pitman arms 51 and 52 by means of wrist pins such as pin 53 for pitman arm 52 (FIGS. 2, 3 and 4). Preferably clevis brackets 49 and 50 are hollow in order to accommodate the lateral motion of an optional lateral ram 54, comprising lateral punch holder 57, which can be slidably mounted be tween upright frame members 11 and 12 in lateral ram guideways S and 56. Lateral rarn 54 is provided with clevis brackets 58 and 59 which are pivotally attached by means of wrist pins to respective pitman arms 60 and 61.

Lateral linear motion is imparted to lateral ram 42 by rotary hydraulic actuator 62 coupled to shaft 63 suitably journaled in bearings 64, 65, 66 and 67. A pitman, such as 68 journaled in pitman arm 52 and eccentrically fixed on shaft 63 by means of key'69 so that the rotational plane of pitman 68 is substantially normal to the longitudinal axis of shaft 63, is provided for each of pitman arms 51, 52, 60 and 61 and translates rotary motion of shaft 63 into linear motion by lateral ram 42, as well as into linear motion by optional lateral ram 54. If desired, additional lateral rams can be provided superposed over lateral rams 42 and 54 and actuated by the same fluid motor means, i.e., by rotary hydraulic actuator 62. Also, additional lateral rams can be provided on the remaining free sides of press bed 17, actuated by a separate fluid motor means.

The forward and return travel of lateral rams 42 and 54 is determined by rotating stop 70 provided with contact bar 71 which abuts stop block 72 (FIG. 1) or stop block 73 (FIG. 4) depending on whether lateral rams 42 and 54 are retracted or extended.

A typical die assembly arrangement for the multiple motion press of this invention is shown in FIG.-5. Die shoe 74 is suitably mounted on press bed 17 in any convenient manner and lower vertical die element 75 together with backup member 76, if necessary, fitted therein. Upper vertical die elements 77 and 78 are mounted on vertical ram 22 by fitting these elements in or on upper platen 23, together with spring pad 79, if needed or desirable. Sheet metal workpiece 80, when placed in the resulting vertical die assembly between lower vertical die element 75 and upper vertical die elements 77 and 78 will be subjected to a first forming operation upon a downward stroke of vertical ram 22. At the completion of the closing or downward stroke vertical ram 22 is held in dwell position with workpiece 80 clamped within the vertical die assembly which assembly is at such time in a position to function as a lateral die element in a subsequent forming operation. For this purpose a desired die cavity such as cavity 81 is provided in lower vertical die element 75 adapted to cooperate with lateral die element 82 fitted in lateral punch holder 45 of lateral ram 42. Alternatively, a die cavity for cooperation with a lateral die element such as element 82 can be provided in appropriate circumstances in one of the upper vertical die elements; however, usually this is undesirable because the lateral die element can be readily damaged by the inadvertent raising of vertical ram 22 before lateral ram 42 is retracted in such instances. Also, if desired, the relative positions of the upper and lower die elements in the vertical die assembly can be reversed.

Where a plurality of lateral rams is employed in the forming operations, indexing means for a die element or elements in the vertical die assembly can be provided in any convenient manner to shift these elements inwardly after the forming operations have been completed in order to facilitate the removal of the shaped workpiece and then subsequently to .return the shifted elements to their normal position prior to the commencement of the next forming cycle.

The method of sheet metal fabrication contemplated by the present invention involves the steps of providing a sheet metal blank, either as a separate piece or from coil or sheet stock, subjecting said blank to a first form ing operation by the action of cooperating vertical die elements, retaining said blank after the first forming operation clamped between said vertical die elements, and subjecting the retained blank to a subsequent forming operation by the action of a movable lateral die element which cooperates with a lateral surface of one of the cooperating vertical die elements to effect the subsequent forming operation. The blank can be formed separately, or it can be produced by the vertical ram itself during the operating cycle. As is readily apparent from the detailed discussion of this invention set forth hereinabove, either the upper vertical die element or the lower vertical die element can be the die element which cooperates with the movable lateral die element to provide the necessary lateral die assembly.

The multiple motion press of this invention can be operated manually or it can be programmed for automatic operation during the forming cycle of cycles. In a manual operation, a sheet metal blank is appropriately positioned in the machine and the closing stroke of vertical reciprocating ram 22 initiated by supplying hydraulic fluid to rotary hydraulic actuator 85. At the completion of the closing stroke by vertical ram 22 the first forming operation has been effected and vertical ram 22 is held in dwell position clamping the now partially formed sheet metal workpiece in the vertical die assembly. Thereafter, lateral movement of lateral ram 42 is started by supplying hydraulic fluid to rotary hydraulic actuator 62 and continued until lateral die element 82 engages the workpiece and shapes the same in cooperation with the lateral die cavity provided in the vertical die assembly. Lateral ram 42 is then retracted by reversing the rotational direction of actuator 62, vertical ram 22 raised to its uppermost position by reversing the rotational direction of actuator 85, and the shaped workpiece removed from the press in any convenient manner.

in automatic operation the same sequence of operational steps is followed except that the relative positions of vertical ram 22 and lateral ram 42 are sensed by appropriately placed limit switches or similar sensors and a subsequent operation initiated when machine movement completing a preceding operational step trips a limit switch which then initiates the next operationalstep. For instance, proper positioning of a sheet metal blank in the press can trip a first limit switch which opens a first valve permitting hydraulic fluid under pressure to flow to rotary hydraulic actuator 85 thereby initiating and continuing the downward stroke of vertical ram 22. As the closing stroke is completed, ram 22 trips a second limit switch which opens a second valve permitting hydraulic fluid under pressure to flow to rotary hydraulic actuator 62 thereby initiating and continuing the lateral movement or stroke of lateral ram 42 singly or together with optional lateral ram 54. During this time period the first valve remains open and vertical ram 22 continues to bear against'the workpiece. As the requisite lateral movement of ram 42 is completed, a third limit switch is tripped which 5 metal shapes that can be readily fabricated using the multiple motion press of the present invention.

In the foregoing specification and the accompanying claims the terms upper, lower, and vertical have been used in setting forth the various interacting elements of the multiple motion press of this invention with reference to the conventional position of the multiple motion press in the interests of clarity. It will be apparent to one skilled in the art, however, that the multiple motion press of this invention can be operated as well in a tilted position or when turned on one side if it is expedient to do so from the standpoint of transporting workpieces to and/or away from the press.

Similarly, in the specific embodiments illustrated hereinabove the lateral ram is shown positioned substantially normal to the vertical ram. However, the relative angle between the vertical ram and the lateral ram or rams can vary, if desired, from an acute angle to an obtuse angle, depending on the workpiece that is to be fabricated.

The foregoing specification and the drawings are intended as illustrative and are not to be construed as limiting. Still other variations and rearrangements of parts within the spirit and scope of this invention are possible as is apparent to one skilled in the art, and other fabricating operations such as blanking, trimming and piercing of predrawn or formed parts, and the like, can be carried out.

I claim:

1. A multiple motion press for fabricating sheet metal which comprises a press frame;

a reciprocating vertical ram means slidably mounted on said frame;

an upper vertical die element mounted on said vertical ram means;

a lower vertical die element mounted on said frame below said upper vertical die element and cooperating with said upper vertical die element to provide a vertical die assembly and to effect a first forming operation on said sheet metal upon a closing stroke of said ram means;

a reciprocating lateral ram means slidably mounted on said frame;

a lateral die element mounted on said lateral ram means and cooperating with said vertical die assembly to provide a lateral die assembly and to effeet a subsequent forming operation on said sheet metal upon lateral movement of said lateral ram means when said first forming operation is complete and when said vertical ram means is in dwell position at the completion of the closing stroke thereof;

first motor means actuating said vertical ram means;

and

second motor means actuating said lateral ram means, wherein both said first motor means and said second motor means are rotary hydraulic actuators.

2. The multiple motion press in accordance with claim 1 provided with at least one additional reciprocating lateral ram means slidably mounted on said frame, and a lateral die element mounted on said additional reciprocating lateral ram means and cooperating with said vertical die assembly to provide an additional lateral die assembly and to effect an additional forming operation on said sheet metal upon lateral movement of said additional lateral rarn means when said first forming operation is complete and when said vertical ram means is in dwell position at the completion of the closing stroke thereof; said additional lateral ram means being actuated by said second motor means.

3. A multiple motion press for fabricating sheet metal which comprises a press frame;

a first shaft journaled in said frame;

a first rotary hydraulic actuator coupled to said first shaft for imparting rotary motion to said first shaft;

a first means translating rotary motion into linear motion operably connected to said shaft;

a reciprocating vertical ram means slidably mounted on said frame and pivotally connected to said first means translating rotary motion into linear motion;

an upper vertical die element mounted on said vertical ram means;

a press bed mounted on said press frame below said vertical ram means;

lower vertical die element mounted on said pres bed and cooperating with said upper vertical die element to provide a vertical die assembly and to effect a first forming operation on said sheet metal upon a closing stroke of said vertical ram means in response to said first rotary hydraulic actuator; plurality of axially-aligned bearings mounted on said press bed;

a second shaft journaled in said bearings;

a second rotary hydraulic actuator coupled to said second shaft for imparting rotary motion to said second shaft;

a second means translating rotary motion into linear motion operably connected to said second shaft;

a reciprocating lateral ram means slidably mounted on said frame below said vertical ram means, above said press bed, and pivotally connected to said second means translating rotary motion into linear motion; and

lateral die element mounted on said lateral ram means and cooperating with said vertical die assembly to provide a lateral die assembly and to effect a subsequent forming operation on said sheet metal upon lateral movement of said lateral ram means in response to said second rotary hydraulic actuator when said first forming operation is complete and when said vertical ram means is in dwell position at the completion of the closing stroke thereof.

4. The multiple motion press in accordance with claim 3 wherein said first means translating rotary mo- 7 tion into linear motion comprises a pitman arm, a circular pitman journaled in said pitman arm and eccentrically fixed on said first shaft so that the rotational plane of said pitman is substantially normal to the longitudinal axis of said first shaft, and wherein said vertical ram means is pivotally connected to said pitman arm.

5. The multiple motion press in accordance with claim 3 wherein said second means translating rotary motion into linear motion comprises a pitman arm, a circular pitman journaled in said pitman arm and eccentrically fixed on said second shaft so that the rotational plane of said pitman is substantially normal to the longitudinal axis of said second shaft, and wherein said lateral ram means is pivotally connected to said pitman arm.

6. The multiple motion press in accordance with claim 3, being provided with at least one additional re actuator. 

1. A multiple motion press for fabricating sheet metal which comprises a press frame; a reciprocating vertical ram means slidably mounted on said frame; an upper vertical die element mounted on said vertical ram means; a lower vertical die element mounted on said frame below said upper vertical die element and cooperating with said upper vertical die element to provide a vertical die assembly and to effect a first forming operation on said sheet metal upon a closing stroke of said ram means; a reciprocating lateral ram means slidably mounted on said frame; a lateral die element mounted on said lateral ram means and cooperating with said vertical die assembly to provide a lateral die assembly and to effect a subsequent forming operation on said sheet metal upon lateral movement of said lateral ram means when said first forming operation is complete and when said vertical ram means is in dwell position at the completion of the closing stroke thereof; first motor means actuating said vertical ram means; and second motor means actuating said lateral ram means, wherein both said first motor means and said second motor means are rotary hydraulic actuators.
 2. The multiple motion press in accordance with claim 1 provided with at least one additional reciprocating lateral ram means slidably mounted on said frame, and a lateral die element mounted on said additional reciprocating lateral ram means and cooperating with said vertical die assembly to provide an additional lateral die assembly and to effect an additional forming operation on said sheet metal upon lateral movement of said additional lateral ram means when said first forming operation is complete and when said vertical ram means is in dwell position at the completion of the closing stroke thereof; said additional lateral ram means being actuated by said second motor means.
 3. A multiple motion press for fabricating sheet metal which comprises a press frame; a first shaft journaled in said frame; a first rotary hydraulic actuator coupled to said first shaft for imparting rotary motion to said first shaft; a first means translating rotary motion into linear motion operably connected to said shaft; a reciprocating vertical ram means slidably mounted on said frame and pivotally connected to said first means translating rotary motion into linear motion; an upper vertical die element mounted on said vertical ram means; a press bed mounted on said press frame below said vertical ram means; a lower vertical die element mounted on said press bed and cooperating with said upper vertical die element to provide a vertical die assembly and to effect a first forming operation on said sheet metal upon a closing stroke of said vertical ram means in response to said first rotary hydraulic actuator; a plurality of axially-aligned bearings mounted on said press bed; a second shaft journaled in said bearings; a second rotary hydraulic actuator coupled to said second shaft for imparting rotary motion to said second shaft; a second means translating rotary motion into linear motion operably connected to said second shaft; a reciprocating lateral ram means slidably mounted on said frame below said vertical ram means, above said press bed, and pivotally connected to said second means translating rotary motion into linear motion; and a lateral die element mounted on said lateral ram means and cooperating with said vertical die assembly tO provide a lateral die assembly and to effect a subsequent forming operation on said sheet metal upon lateral movement of said lateral ram means in response to said second rotary hydraulic actuator when said first forming operation is complete and when said vertical ram means is in dwell position at the completion of the closing stroke thereof.
 4. The multiple motion press in accordance with claim 3 wherein said first means translating rotary motion into linear motion comprises a pitman arm, a circular pitman journaled in said pitman arm and eccentrically fixed on said first shaft so that the rotational plane of said pitman is substantially normal to the longitudinal axis of said first shaft, and wherein said vertical ram means is pivotally connected to said pitman arm.
 5. The multiple motion press in accordance with claim 3 wherein said second means translating rotary motion into linear motion comprises a pitman arm, a circular pitman journaled in said pitman arm and eccentrically fixed on said second shaft so that the rotational plane of said pitman is substantially normal to the longitudinal axis of said second shaft, and wherein said lateral ram means is pivotally connected to said pitman arm.
 6. The multiple motion press in accordance with claim 3, being provided with at least one additional reciprocating lateral ram means slidably mounted on said frame, and a lateral die element mounted on said additional reciprocating lateral ram means and cooperating with said vertical die assembly to provide an additional lateral die assembly and to effect an additional forming operation on said sheet metal upon lateral movement of said additional lateral ram means when said first forming operation is complete and when said vertical ram means is in dwell position at the completion of the closing stroke thereof; said additional lateral ram means being actuated by said second rotary hydraulic actuator. 